新视野大学英语教材课文要点第二册前五单元

1、*第一单元A篇*Language Point 1 Americans believe no one stands still. (Para. 1)Meaning: Americans believe no one keeps motionless; everyone moves. Here "stand" means "keep or stay in a particular position or state". In this sense, "stand" is followed by adjectives. More examp

2、les:The room stands idle. 这房间闲置着。Stand firmdon't let them tell you what to do. 要坚定，不要让他们对你指手画脚。They stand opposed to the new law. 他们反对这项新法律。 Language Point 2 This attitude results in a nation of people committed to researching, experimenting and exploring. (Para. 1)Meaning: This way of thinking

3、and doing things causes Americans to devote their time and energy to researching, experimenting and exploring. Language Point 3 Time is one of the two elements that Americans save carefully, the other being labor. (Para.1)Meaning: Americans use two things with great care (or: Americans never waste t

4、wo things): One is time and the other is labor. Language Point 4 We are slaves to nothing but the clock. (Para. 2)Meaning: We are under the control of time only and nothing else, or we are only dominated by time. Language Point 5 We budget it, save it, waste it, steal it, kill it, cut it, account fo

5、r it; we also charge for it. (Para. 2)Meaning: We plan how to spend it, save it, waste it, spend it more efficiently, find ways to pass it quickly, reduce it, explain how we use it; we also ask money for it. In this sentence, "time" is used metaphorically as something of real value. kill i

6、t (= kill time): make time pass quickly by finding something to doWe killed time by playing cards. 我们用打纸牌来消磨时间。He drove to the club to kill a couple of hours. 他驾车去俱乐部消磨了几个小时。 Language Point 6 Many people have a rather acute sense of the shortness of each lifetime. (Para. 2)Meaning: Many people have

7、a very strong feeling that life is short. Notice the use of "sense" in the following examples:a sense of humor/duty/direction 幽默感/责任感/方向感 Language Point 7 Once the sands have run out of a person's hourglass, they cannot be replaced. (Para. 2)Notice that the whole sentence is a metaphor

8、, which means: Once time has passed, it will not return. Language Point 8 We want every minute to count. (Para. 2)Meaning: We want every minute to be put into good use (since it is precious). Language Point 9 . everyone is in a rushoften under pressure. (Para. 3)Meaning: .everyone is doing things in

9、 a hurry, because they are often under pressure to do so. Language Point 10 . restlessly seeking attention in a store, or elbowing others. (Para. 3)Meaning: . impatiently trying to get service in a store, or pushing others out of the way by their elbows. Language Point 11 Racing through daytime meal

10、s is part of the pace of life in this country. (Para. 3)Meaning: Eating their meals hurriedly during the day is part of America's fast pace of life. Language Point 12 Don't take it personally. (Para. 3)Meaning: Don't let it upset you (because they treat everybody this way; or because the

11、y are not doing this to you in particular). Language Point 13 Many new arrivals in the States will miss the opening exchanges of a business call. (Para. 4)Meaning: Many newcomers to the United States will be sad to find that there is no polite small talks at the beginning of a business call. Languag

12、e Point 14 They will miss the ritual interaction that goes with a welcoming cup of tea or coffee that may be a convention in their own country. (Para. 4)Meaning: They will be sad because they will not have the usual exchanges (with the person who invited them) that go with a welcoming cup of tea or

13、coffee. These exchanges may be a common practice on similar occasions in their own country. Language Point 15 Normally, Americans do not assess their visitors in such relaxed surroundings over extended small talk. (Para. 4)Meaning: Usually Americans do not judge or evaluate their visitors in relaxed

14、 places (such as restaurants or coffee houses) during long, light conversations. Language Point 16 . much less do they take them out for dinner, or around on the golf course. (Para. 4)Meaning: . it is even less likely that Americans take their visitors out for dinner or to play golf. Note that the p

15、hrase "much less" is often used after a negative statement, to indicate that the statement is more true of the person, thing, or situation that you are going to mention. Language Point 17 Since we generally assess and probe professionally rather than socially, we start talking business ver

16、y quickly. (Para. 4)Meaning: Since in most cases we evaluate our visitors and ask them questions from a professional point of view instead of from a social one, we start talking business very quickly (and there is no need to spend time on small talk and the like). Language Point 18 Time is, therefor

17、e, always ticking in our inner ear. (Para. 4)Meaning: Therefore, we are always aware of time. It is just like the constant sound of a clock that we hear. Language Point 19 Consequently, we work hard at the task of saving time. (Para. 5)Meaning: As a result, we try our best to save time. Language Poi

18、nt 20 . especially given our traffic-filled streets. (Para. 5)Meaning: . especially when we take into account our busy streets that are often full of traffic. Language Point 21 We, therefore, save most personal visiting for after-work hours or for social weekend gatherings. (Para. 5)Meaning: So, if

19、we want to pay a personal visit, we can do it after work or on the weekend when there are social gatherings. Language Point 22 To us the impersonality of electronic communication has little or no relation to the significance of the matter at hand. (Para. 6)Meaning: To us, the lack of personal feelin

20、gs of electronic communication has little or no relation to the importance of the matter we are discussing. Language Point 23 In some countries no major business is conducted without eye contact, requiring face-to-face conversation. (Para. 6)Meaning: In some countries, important business must be car

21、ried out with eye contact, and through face-to-face conversation. Language Point 24 However, people are meeting increasingly on television screens, conducting "teleconferences" to settle problems. (Para. 6)Meaning: However, people are meeting more and more through television, holding telec

22、onferences to solve problems. Language Point 25 This is due partly to the fact that the telephone service is superb here, whereas the postal service is less efficient. (Para. 7)Meaning: This is partly because of the fact that the telephone service is excellent here, but by contrast the postal servic

23、e is not so good. Language Point 26 Unless a certain amount of time is allowed to elapse, it seems in their eyes as if the task being considered were insignificant, not worthy of proper respect. (Para. 8)Meaning: If they don't spend some time dealing with a certain task, it will give the impress

24、ion, in their opinion, that the task being considered is not important or not properly respected. Language Point 27 Assignments are, consequently, given added weight by the passage of time. (Para. 8)Meaning: As a result, people think that assignments are gaining additional importance with the passin

25、g of time. The word "weight" here is used as an uncountable noun metaphorically to mean "importance". More examples:an idea of great weight 一个很重要的观点Don't worry about what he thinks; his opinion doesn't carry much weight. 别担心他怎么想，他的意见没有多少影响。 Language Point 28 In the US, ho

26、wever, it is taken as a sign of skillfulness or being competent to solve a problem, or fulfill a job successfully, with speed. (Para. 8)Meaning: In the US, however, if you can solve a problem or do a job quickly, you will be considered a person having skills or ability. Language Point 29 Usually, th

27、e more important a task is, the more capital, energy, and attention will be poured into it in order to "get it moving". (Para. 8)Meaning: Usually, if a job is more important, people will put in more money, effort, and attention in order to get it done. *第一单元B篇*Language Point 1 Culture Shoc

28、k (Title) culture shock: a term meaning strong feelings of discomfort, fear, or anxiety, which people may have when they enter another culture. Usually when a person moves to live in a foreign country, he may experience a period of culture shock until he becomes familiar with the new culture. Langua

29、ge Point 2 In spite of these advantages, however, there are also some challenges you will encounter. (Para. 1) Meaning: Despite these advantages, however, there are also some difficult things you will face. Language Point 3 Because your views may clash with the different beliefs, norms, values and t

30、raditions that exist in different countries. (Para. 1) Meaning: Because your views may be in sharp contrast or opposite to the beliefs, norms, values and customs that exist in the countries you are going to visit. Language Point 4 . you may have difficulty adjusting to a new culture. (Para. 1) Meani

31、ng: . you may find it difficult to adjust yourself to a new culture. Pay attention to the structure "have difficulty (in) doing something". Very often the preposition is omitted.For example: His English is very bad and I have difficulty (in) understanding him. 他英语很糟糕，我很难听懂他的话。If "have

32、 difficulty" is followed directly by a noun phrase, the preposition "with" is used and the preposition can never be omitted in this case. For example: The child seems to have no difficulty with English grammar. 这孩子好像在英语语法方面没有困难。 Language Point 5 At least four essential stages of adjus

33、tment occur during culture shock. (Para. 1) Meaning: There are at least four stages in the process of adjusting to culture shock. Language Point 6 Also, the amusement of life in a new culture seems to have no ending. (Para. 2) Meaning: Also, there seems to be endless entertainment of life in a new c

34、ulture. Language Point 7 This is "the hostility stage". (Para. 3) Meaning: This is the stage in which you do not like many things in the new culture. Language Point 8 You become tired of many things about the new culture. (Para. 3) Meaning: You no longer have interest in many things connec

35、ted with the new culture. Language Point 9 . and everything makes you feel distressed and tired. (Para. 3) Meaning: . and everything makes you upset and tired. Language Point 10 . you devise some defense mechanisms to help you cope. (Para. 4)Meaning: . you create some methods to help yourself deal w

36、ith things around successfully. Language Point 11 This happens when you pretend that everything is acceptable and that nothing bothers you. (Para. 4) Meaning: This happens when you pretend that everything is good enough and that you feel worried about nothing. Language Point 12 You would rather be h

37、ome alone. (Para. 4) Meaning: You would prefer to stay at home without anyone else around. Notice that "would rather" can be used to say that one person would prefer another person to do something. In this case, we generally use a past tense with a present or future meaning.For example:I w

38、ould rather you stayed with me tomorrow. 我宁愿你明天和我呆在一起。Don't come tomorrow. I'd rather you came next weekend. 明天别来，你最好下周末来。 Language Point 13 With isolation, you try to avoid the effects of culture shock. (Para. 4) Meaning: By staying alone, you try to keep yourself away from the effects of c

39、ulture shock. Language Point 14 Isolation is one of the worst coping mechanisms you can use because it separates you from those things that could really help you. (Para. 4)Meaning: Being apart from others is among the worst ways for dealing with your problem, because by being apart you keep yourself

40、 away from those things that could really help you. Language Point 15 . they prevent you from making necessary adjustments to the new culture. (Para. 5) Meaning: . they stop you from making necessary changes that help to deal with the new culture. Language Point 16 After you deal with your hostile f

41、eelings, recognition of the temporary nature of culture shock begins. (Para. 6) Meaning: After you get over your hostile feelings, you begin to realize that culture shock will not last long. Language Point 17 . you try to develop comprehension of everything you don't understand. (Para. 6) Meanin

42、g: . you try to gain an understanding of everything that you don't understand. Language Point 18 . you recover from the symptoms of the first two stages. (Para. 6) Meaning: . you return to a normal state from the signs of the first two stages that are not desirable. Language Point 19 You begin t

43、o see that even though the distinction of the culture is different from your own, it has elements that you can learn to appreciate. (Para. 6) Meaning: You begin to understand that even though the special feature of the new culture is different from that of your own culture, it has things that you ca

44、n learn to enjoy. Language Point 20 . you have reached a point where you actually feel good. (Para. 7) Meaning: . your adjustment to the new culture is so successful that you actually feel comfortable now. Language Point 21 This acquisition of understanding alleviates much of the stress. (Para. 7) M

45、eaning: This process of learning to understand helps you reduce a lot of your stress. Language Point 22 You learn how to interact with other people, and you learn a considerable amount about life in a culture that is not your own. (Para. 8) Meaning: You learn how to live and work closely together wi

46、th other people, and learn quite a lot about life in a foreign culture. *第二单元A篇*Language Point 1 Nikolai Petrovich Anikin was not half as intimidating as I had imagined he would be. (Para.1) Meaning: I had expected that Nikolai Petrovich Anikin would be a quite frightening person, but actually he wa

47、s not at all. Language Point 2 No, this surely was not the ex-Soviet coach my father had shipped me out to meet. (Para.1) Meaning: It was really unbelievable that Nikolai, the ex-Soviet coach my father had sent me a long way to meet, was like this. Pay attention that "ex-" is sometimes use

48、d to form compound word with the meaning of "former and still living". For example: ex-wife (前妻), ex-president (前总统). "Ex" can also be used informally to refer to someone's former wife, husband, girlfriend, or boyfriend. For example:Linda said she met her ex at the dance. 琳达说

49、她在舞会上遇到了前夫/前男友。 Language Point 3 But Nikolai he was, Petrovich and all. (Para.2)Meaning: But anyway, he was Nikolai Petrovich Anikin and nobody else. Language Point 4 . patting the blanket next to him to get me to sit next to him. (Para.2) Meaning: . patting the blanket next to him to get me to sit

50、down beside him. Language Point 5 Nagano Olympics too soon for you, but for 2002 in Salt Lake City, you could be ready. (Para.3) Meaning: There will not be enough time for you to prepare for the Olympics to be held in Nagano, but you could get ready for the Olympics to be held in Salt Lake City in 2

51、002. Language Point 6 "Yes, why not?" he replied to the shocked look on my face. (Para.4) Meaning: "Why is it not possible (for you to participate in the Olympics in Salt Lake City in 2002)?" He said this in response to the very surprised expression on my face. Language Point 7 I

52、 was a promising amateur skier, but by no means the top skier in the country. (Para.4) Meaning: Though it seemed that I might be successful someday as an amateur skier, I was not at all the best skier in the country. Notice that when "by no means" is used at the beginning of a sentence, an

53、 inversion structure should be used. For example: By no means can teaching in school be separated from practice. 学校教学决不能脱离实践。By no means will our friendship be affected. 我们的友谊不会受到影响。 Language Point 8 To be sure, there were countless training sessions full of pain and more than a few tears. (Para. 5)

54、 Meaning: I really went through a lot of painful training sessions which made me shed many tears. Language Point 9 . I could always count on being encouraged by Nikolai's amusing stories and sense of humor. (Para. 5) Meaning: . I could always rely on Nikolai to encourage me with his funny storie

55、s and good sense of humor. Language Point 10 I am practice, practice, practice in the stadium. (Para. 6) Meaning: I practice all the time in the stadium. Note that Nikolai was not a native speaker of English, he couldn't speak standard English. So in the text we could see now and then he used ba

56、d grammar. Here is just one example. Language Point 11 And by the next year, I had cut 1-1/2 minutes off my time in the 15-kilometer race! (Para. 6) Meaning: And by the next year, I had reduced my time by one and a half minutes in the 15-kilometer race! Language Point 12 Romantic and otherwise, Niko

57、lai knew love. (Para. 9) Meaning: No matter Nikolai was romantic or not, he understood what love was. Language Point 13 His consistent good humor, quiet gratitude, perceptivity, and sincerity set an Olympic standard for love that I continue to reach for, even though my skiing days are over. (Para. 9

58、) Meaning: He was always humorous, thankful, perceptive and sincere, which set for me a standard for love, even after I stopped skiing, as high as those standards set for athletes at the Olympics. Language Point 14 Still, he never babied me. (Para. 10) Meaning: However, he never spoiled me. (He was always very strict with me in training.) Language Point 15 One February day I had a massive headache and felt quite fatigued. (Para.10)Meaning: One February day, I had a serious headache and